Short Term Mission Trips

Cycle Trip from Windhoek to Cape Town

The cycle trip was a fantastic success and God's blessing was on the entire trip and in spite of a couple of "topple-overs", some flu and a broken window, the team was able to bless the folk of numerous towns en route between Windhoek and Cape Town. In fact as some of the chaps say, it seems that those who go (in order to bless others) come back feeling they themselves have been blessed even more.

Some excerpts from Malcolm Wetmore's Tour Diary (with permission)

From week 1

We are cycling from Windhoek to Cape Town to connect with local churches and to  bless them with the encouragement that comes with us going to all this strain "just to meet with them".
 

The team is made up of:

• Steve (team leader ) from CBUC

• Sachi ( backup ) from Clairmont Methodist

• Michelle ( backup )

• Andy - Clairmont Methodist

• Clous - CBUC

• Colleen - CBUC

• Franklin - Africa Jam

• Malcolm - CBUC

• Mikey - Clairmont Methodist

• Peter - CBUC

• Poul - CBUC

We started our trip in Windhoek on Saturday. We were hosted by Frankie Frederics' (the famous Namibian sprinter) mum for lunch and dinner. The house is covered in gold medals, certificate and pictures of him winning everything in the world - very inspiring. In the evening we had a meeting at the church and shared testimonies with them. Various members of the church hosted us overnight.

We went to church, joined in the service and then cycled to Reheboth - a route measuring 99.5kms. We rode hard and fast and joined the service at the church in the evening. The congregation consisted of mainly youth - Steve preached a great message into those kids' lives. We then cooked up a killer pasta in the manse and  departed to our hosts houses for the night.

On Monday morning we were up bright and early and cycled hard to Kalkrand 109kms away. We met up with the mission team on the road, which was great and we had a time of prayer together. We had a late lunch with a farmer (organised by the church ladies in Rehoboth) and then had to drive 60kms to a lodge to sleep because the host's wife was sick.

On Tuesday morning we drove back to Kalkrand to get on the bikes and cycled to Mariental - 75kms. There we met at a tiny community church and were allocated our hosts. Some of us got to sleep 2 up in a bed with only cold water etc. They layed on a special service for us to share at. We also taught them the "May the peace of the Lord" song.

On Wednesday morning we rode to Gibeon - 85kms This was a one-horse town if ever we had seen one but it has a major school which services the region. We were met outside the town by the headmaster who escorted us through the town so that everyone could wave at us and then took us on to the high school where 400 kids were assembled to meet us and hear our various testimonies. That evening they laid on "entertainment" for us. The kids sang & danced, we spoke and Steve delivered a great salvation message. We spent that night in an old (run down) dorm where we rustled up grub and then slept on the floor after having a freezing cold shower. Peter and Colleen joined us this evening, having flown into Windhoek and then catching a lift down.

Thursday morning was the BIG one - 175kms to Keetmanshoop. That nearly killed most of us. We finished in the dark which was very hairy. Then we went to the church who introduced us to our hosts - some very poor township people. Their houses had no hot water and no showers. Pete (Meyer) and I got to share a double bed (very cozy) then back to the church to meet the congregation to share and Steve to preach.

The church people "braaied" for us and we had dinner and Pineapple-Fanta in the church. Finally to it was off to bed at 11pm (after a day from hell).

On Friday morning we set off to Granao - annother 155kms ride away with the wind blowing in our faces. It was a killer and we took serious strain with 2 back to back long days.

On Saturday we have a 130km day and on Sunday we are due to cross the Orange River. This has been an exhausting amazing experience. The hospitality of very poor people has been very humbling and to live in their meager houses just reminds on how blessed we are and how we take so much for granted. These people have been so blessed by the fact that a bunch of "whities" are riding bikes to come visit with them.

The teamwork between us is supernatural - guys acting as wind blocks for those (usually me) who may be struggling. Fixing punctures for each other, lending warm clothing etc. and on and on endlessly. The countryside is amazing - wide open spaces of arid scrub land. Neverending dead straight roads ribboning into the distance and amazing "African" sunsets and sunrises. Several of us came on this trip for the physical challenge - it has been that, but none of us will ever be the same after this. Pray for us please, we really need that. I, God willing we will come storming or limping into Camps Bay next Friday.

from Granao
Malcolm
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From end of day 9

Well here we are at the end of day 9! It seems like a lifetime and still there are four hectic days to go. I've run behind in updating you because we've been riding like crazy all day, getting to our stops in the dark and then a taking shower, chowing and we are dead. I'll bring you up to speed on the last few days.

On Thursday we rode 175kmsfrom Gibeon to Keetmanshoop. It comprised long never ending roads that gave absolutely no respite. My knees were blown with 50kms to go and the pain was unbearable. The backup girls gave me some painkillers and somehow managed to hold it together to finish the day exhausted.

On Friday we rode 155kms to Granau. That was climbing all the way & was a day from hell. Fortunately age has some benefits and the the youngsters would fan out and shield me from the wind. When climbing impossible hills one of them would jump in front of me so that I could slipstream while he took the strain and pain. Talk about teamwork! Cycling in a pack teaches you more than 30 yrs in business.

On Saturday we rode another 170kms down to the Orange River gorge. That was a day in cycling heaven. We had the wind behind us and were traveling mainly downhill through the most amazing countryside. The flowers are out and blanketing the countryside. The weather was gorgeous and we were pumping and averaged 36 kph for the whole day!!! For comparison the previous day we averaged 21 kph in misery. That gave us 505kms in 3 days - nearly 5 Argus' - crazy hey ! We spent the night in the Felix Unite lodge right on the banks of the orange river. After staying in local community homes for a week this was paradise.

The next day (no day of rest for us) we rode through the border post and then payback for the day before - a 37km solid climb out of the gorge AND then another 90kms of murderous mountains! We arrived at 6pm in Springbok and the local church had put on a special communion service for us starting at 6pm. So in we went lycra shorts and all! We were quite a hit when we got up on the stage to introduce ourselves! We watched Italy win the world cup & then slept in an aids hospice dorm (back to reality).

Today we got an early start. I couldn't walk & most of the team are battling with flu. We rode thru more mountains - massive inclines & scary declines of up to 3kms long. You labour up one side and are fit to die just before you go hurtling downhill at 50 - 60 kph WITH YOUR BRAKES ON! Scary stuff! The countryside however is magnificent - the Namaqualand daisies are out in full bloom & the fields look like a Monet painting. That puts us in Garies - another back of nowhere town and tomorrow we are off to Vanrynsdorp - 145kms of more mountain terrain. Were told that the next 2 days will be the worst 2 days we will have.

There are many lessons that one learns on a bike. When you're climbing a hill there is absolutely nothing you can do to make it shorter or flatter (how often in life do we look for the short cut) there comes a time or many times where you have to make a decision to keep going - you can stop, but the reward is at the top of the hill so you're the looser!

The other reality is that you often can't see the real top of the hill. You strive to get there only to find that there's another incline to cover. That is very demoralising as are the seemingly never ending "hills" in life. HOWEVER the reality is that every hill, no matter how arduous, does end. The challenge is this - "Are you going to keep going?" See what stuff you get to think about when you're sweating away on a bike.

We've now got 4 days left, most of the guys are suffering with flu, one guy has got a broken contact lens stuck in his eye & I've got blown knees. Those days are going to be hard & we really appreciate your support.

Blessings
M
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From end of day 11

Hi,
 

11 long days on the bike & 2 to go!! Seems like forever away. Yesterday was a sad day, we lost 2 of our team - 1 had to get back to work & the other had to pull out & get a lift back to CT. He had been riding with the flu for 5/6 days & his body finally gave up on him. We've missed him & wish him speedy recovery. Whilst in Garies we discovered that it was the centre of the Kobus milk culture scam of the early 80's. The lady who now owns the hotel at which the money was brought every day was Kobus's sister in law & she resigned her job as town clerk to handle his admin. She showed us the spot in the now dining room where her desk was & told us of how she would receive cash of R1,5  million PER DAY & that was 20 odd yrs ago.

We left there to ride 147kms of hard hill riding in blistering heat - it was a killer that just went on forever & was really quite depressing after all the hard work we'd done the previous days. That took us to Vanrhyansdorp where we were booked into a caravan park/ motel thing. The rooms stank & the sheets were beyond sleeping in so we used 4/bags. Very demoralising after a hard day.

One thing you learn out here is that it really is "not about the bike" - its all about the head and how you use your mind. It's the weirdest thing but if you allow your mind to dwell on pain or negative thoughts of any kind you are doomed. Yesterday nearly did that to some of us. But, thank God we held it together encouraged each other & dragged it home.

The power of the team also becomes so apparent out here. We a) all have different strengths & b) are strong & weak on different days. Guys hang back to help the strugglers. Swap the lead back & forth on the tough bits - all unbidden. This makes the impossible possible.

If the average guy undertook to ride from Windhoek to CT on his own, I don't think he would stand a chance. But as part of a team with a common purpose, someone to share the ups & downs someone to laugh & cry with, someone to chirp & be chirped by - it becomes doable. Here's an acronym which now really comes alive for me -- T ogether E veryone A chieves M ore

We set off this morning for Clanwilliam & Citrus. It is the most beautiful countryside -deep valleys, mountain ridges and lots of water around. This was another highlight day. Another lesson: it seems you need to work through the hard days to get to and enjoy the good days.

Tomorrow we head of to Malmesbury and have to negotiate a pass that (my ex good friend) Pete tells me his M3 battled to climb! But I have no doubt we will succeed we now know that if you just keep pedaling every hill is conquerable. Then the next day we will head off home.

It will be such a relief to not have to get back on the "plank" the next day! Yes it does hurt like hell & no your bum does not get used to it after a few days. I will give my final report when we are successfully safe & sound at home.

Blessings
M
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At end of final day

We made it !!

We left Citrusdal early Thursday am in the rain & headed up the dreaded pass - 8.4kms of serious climb. Once we put our minds to the fact that there was only one way over & that was to peddle, it wasn't too bad. The scary part was the massive trucks that grind their way up & have no room to give. That caused a few hairy moments, but we all made it & thankfully the rain stopped.

We had a coffee break in a lay bye just over the top & were visited by a friendly highway patrol cop who kindly escorted us down the other side. He drove behind us, blocking the traffic so we could wiz down out of harms way - probably made his day as well. Then thru beautiful countryside 109 Ks to Malmesbury. All afternoon we had rain all around us but our road was a ribbon of dryness. The afternoon ended in a mad race to beat the storm. As we got into the B&B the rain came down.

Friday morning and ONLY 65kms to home! The day started of great but our good weather fortune finally ran out and the good ole Cape rain caught up with us. We had one fall and rode into Camps Bay very cold and freezing at about 13.30. There was a good gang of welcomers at the church which really added a festive air to our grand finale. So that's it - 1640 Kms done!

I'm not sure about the others but I was in meltdown for the weekend. Very sleepy & all puffed up face & legs - I'm told that's a physical stress thing & normal. The saddle has taken it's toll & I'm still very tender. But the madala started & finished !! Not bad hey!!

All in all, a huge experience. We hope we have added something to the lives we touched. Certainly for me it was a humbling & growthful experience. Lots of time with ones thoughts has to change ones perspective I guess. Certainly I'll be a lot more tolerant of cyclists from now. El Diablo (the bike) is at rest & just maybe we'll test each other next weekend!

Thank you for your support words can't describe the uplifting effect that encouraging emails had on us all & everyone was very keen for the daily email reading.

May God richly bless you,
Malcolm
 

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Missions trip to Namibia

Watch out later for the exciting report back from the team.

Camps Bay United Church grew from a combination of Metho-dist, Presbyterian and Congregational, and the church was established in 1977.

The senior minister and minister at large is Rev. Roger Horwood, who joined the church in 1996. The pastor of the church is Steve Bonaconsa, supported and assisted by his wife Candice. Trevor Wood heads up a very vibrant music and arts ministry and on the youth side of things, Bijon de Kok leads the teenagers, whilst Pia De Villiers, daughter of international gospel singer, Andre De Villiers is the children's pastor. In July 2006, Peter Meyer was appointed as home cell pastor of Camps Bay United church.